Emma Walmsley’s genetic plan is no magic pill for GSK but may win over the doubters

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Emma Walmsley, GSK chief, has overseen a radical shake-up at the drug company

GSK has a number of niggling ailments but the one that Emma Walmsley most wants to cure is its poor track record in making drugs. For years it has struggled to produce as many promising medicines as some of its arch-rivals.

Walmsley has overseen a radical internal shake-up during her first year, as she sought to calm fears that a background selling shampoo and toothpaste had left her ill-equipped to steer a company that needs to restore its reputation as a world leader in drugs discovery.

More than a third of the top management team has been reshuffled to make way for some of the industry’s biggest names on whopping salaries.